The Pope’s audience with Mrs. Dina Boluarte, President of Peru, was an important event reaffirming the Catholic Church’s commitment to Peru. The Pope expressed his closeness to the Peruvian people and desire to work together to build a more just and fraternal future.

Pope Francis stressed the importance of unity and reconciliation in Peru in his speech. He urged Ms. Boluarte and all Peruvians to work together to overcome the divisions that have plagued the country for too long.

The Pope also spoke of the importance of defending human rights, especially of the most vulnerable. He urged the Peruvian government to guarantee the rights of all Peruvians, regardless of race, religion or social status.

Press release from the Holy See Press Office:

Today, in the Vatican Apostolic Palace, the Holy Father Francis received in audience the President of the Republic of Peru, Her Excellency Ms. Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra, who subsequently met with His Eminence Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin, accompanied by His Excellency Archbishop Paul Richard Gallagher, Secretary for Relations with States and International Organizations.

During the cordial discussions, which took place at the Secretariat of State, appreciation was expressed for the good relations between Peru and the Holy See, highlighting the positive collaboration between the Church and the State with a view to the promotion of moral values, the common good, dialogue and the building of social peace.

There followed an exchange of views on the socio-political situation in the region, with particular attention to the phenomenon of migration and the impact of climate change.

(Original text: Italian)